First published in 1948, the International Social Security Review is the principal international quarterly publication in the field of social security.
Introduction: Social security, social cohesion and inclusive growth
Authors:
Roddy McKinnon
Issue:
Volume 73 (2020), Issue 3 (Special issue)
This special issue selectively addresses the relationship linking social security systems, inclusive growth and social cohesion. Inclusive growth and social cohesion are viewed as political expedient and necessary goals for national economies. The desirability of their attainment reflects political pragmatism, the “social contract”, as much as it does a commitment to the wider emancipative goal of social justice. The International Social Security Association (ISSA) has often paraphrased these assertions to argue that there can be “no social justice without social security”. Of course, progress achieved towards the realization of the goals of inclusive growth and social cohesion should be equally beneficial for the adequacy, sustainability and coverage of social security systems. The aim of this special issue is to unpack and better understand the nature of this relationship.
Topics:
Social policies & programmes
Keywords:
social security schemes
social development
economic development
social cohesion
economic growth
social contract
Regions:
International
Social protection and revenue collection: How they can jointly contribute to strengthening social cohesion
Authors:
Francesco Burchi
Armin von Schiller
Christoph Strupat
Issue:
Volume 73 (2020), Issue 3 (Special issue)
Social protection and revenue collection are often regarded as potential drivers of social cohesion. The article joins this debate, providing three main contributions. First, we carefully discuss the concept of social cohesion and endorse one specific definition. Second, we propose using the concept of the “fiscal contract” as the key theoretical lens to understand the often neglected potential joint effects of social protection and revenue collection policies on social cohesion. Third, we illustrate three main mechanisms through which these policies can have positive or negative impacts on the different components of social cohesion and highlight how relevant it is for policy-makers to carefully think about these.
Topics:
Contribution collection and compliance
Social policies & programmes
Keywords:
social cohesion
social protection
collection of contributions
fiscal policy
public finance
taxation
Regions:
International
China’s social security response to COVID-19: Wider lessons learnt for social security’s contribution to social cohesion and inclusive economic development
Authors:
Xiaoyan Qian
Issue:
Volume 73 (2020), Issue 3 (Special issue)
China has adopted an array of special social security measures in response to the spread of the COVID-19 virus, to mitigate the downside social and economic impacts caused by the pandemic. Measures include the reduction, exemption and deferral of social security contributions by employers, the extension of benefits coverage for employees, and the provision of more accessible e-services by social insurance agencies. The article points out that a preliminary assessment of those measures would suggest that they have played a key role in supporting social cohesion and in stabilising the economy. In a critical manner, the article compares the measures adopted in China with those of other countries, and identifies how China could learn from international practice and experience. Finally, and based on recent Chinese experience, the article presents proposals that seek to improve the longer-term contribution made by the Chinese social security system to realise the goals of social cohesion and inclusive economic development. As set out in China’s Social Insurance Law of 2010, the social security system should not only support a fair sharing of benefits of development, but also promote social harmony and stability.
Topics:
Social policies & programmes
Shocks & extreme events
Keywords:
social security administration
social development
economic development
social cohesion
prevention
Countries:
China
Social assistance and inclusive growth
Authors:
Armando Barrientos
Daniele Malerba
Issue:
Volume 73 (2020), Issue 3 (Special issue)
The expansion of social assistance in low- and middle-income countries raises important issues for inclusive growth. Labour is by far the principal asset of low-income groups. Changes in the quantity, quality, and allocation of labour associated with social assistance will impact on the productive capacity of low-income groups and therefore on inclusive growth. The article re-assesses the findings reported by impact evaluations of social assistance in low- and middle-income countries to address this issue. Most studies have tested for potentially adverse labour supply incentive effects from transfers but have failed to find supportive evidence. The article highlights findings from this literature on the effects of social assistance on human capital accumulation and labour reallocation. They point to the conclusion that well-designed and well-implemented social assistance contributes to inclusive growth.
Topics:
Social assistance
Social policies & programmes
Keywords:
social assistance
poverty
standard of living
social development
economic development
Regions:
International
The challenge of pension reform in Georgia: Non-contributory pensions and elderly poverty
Authors:
Khatuna Nutsubidze
Tamila Nutsubidze
Issue:
Volume 70 (2017), Issue 1
Georgia’s national social security system offers almost complete non-contributory basic pension coverage. The basic pension has, to date, proved effective in dealing with poverty. But Georgia’s fiscal constraints and ageing population also highlight the importance of improving the pension system, in order to ensure its sustainability. This article presents policy reform choices, which suggest that, in Georgia, pension reform might include increasing the statutory retirement ages and reducing the generosity of benefits through means testing. The case of the Georgian non-contributory basic pension might hold value for some low- and middle-income countries that are considering the implementation of, or expanding coverage under, a non-contributory pension programme.
Topics:
Old-age pensions
Keywords:
social security reform
non‐contributory scheme
pension scheme
poverty
Countries:
Georgia
The evolution of the Georgian social protection system since independence: An unclear future despite recent expansion
Authors:
Dimitri Gugushvili
Issue:
Volume 70 (2017), Issue 1
In the first decade of transition, the Georgian social protection system experienced a major retrenchment as the government struggled to finance welfare provision in the face of massive economic contraction and the near collapse of public institutions. Since 2004, this trend has been reversed, with the economy returning to a fast growth path and public administration improving considerably. Recent reforms, including the notable introduction of universal public health insurance, are welcome steps towards building a modern welfare state. Major challenges still remain, however, especially in relation to the system’s limited effect on widespread poverty. Decelerating growth, the lack of strong pro-welfare actors, and the absence of positive external pull factors may stall or prevent future growth, but the changing nature of the social contract between the people and government, as well as Georgian politicians’ growing recognition of the importance of the welfare system for inclusive growth, leaves ample space for optimism.
Topics:
Health
Governance and administration
Keywords:
social security administration
social security planning
welfare state
Countries:
Georgia
Survivors’ pensions and their impact on the Brazilian labour market
Authors:
Julimar Da Silva Bichara
Rogerio Nagamine Costanzi
Graziela Ansiliero
Issue:
Volume 70 (2017), Issue 1
In many countries the regulations governing survivors’ pensions were established in periods when female labour market participation was lower than at present. However, the current trend in many Latin American countries is for growing levels of female labour participation. In Brazil, where there are no restrictions on the concurrent receipt of retirement and survivors’ pensions, and where until recently lifelong pensions could be obtained without any conditionality, not only has the accumulation of such benefits grown, but there are indications that these rules have had a negative impact on women’s labour market participation. Analysis of the case of Brazil shows the need for social security regulations to adapt to labour market changes, and underlines the need to acknowledge that social security regulations can actually have an impact on the labour market.
Topics:
Survivors
Keywords:
survivors benefits
social security reform
labour market
woman worker
Countries:
Brazil
The social security number: A small device underpinning big systems
Authors:
Paul-Anthelme Adèle
Issue:
Volume 70 (2017), Issue 1
The possession and use of a personal social security number helps to structure people’s daily lives. However, despite its fundamental normative importance, the social security number remains a little-known entity. Increasingly universal and yet diverse in form, it is a legal and technical norm which is as much a mechanism for surveillance and monitoring as it is a necessary instrument for giving effect to social rights. Analysis of this constituent element of social security systems permits as assessment of some of the technical difficulties presented by the ever-increasing movement of people and data. Overcoming these technical difficulties should permit to envisage a first technical step towards realizing a universal and global social security system.
Topics:
Governance and administration
Information and communication technology
Keywords:
social security administration
legal aspect
information technology
data processing
Regions:
International
Reinvigorating the social contract and strengthening social cohesion: Social protection responses to COVID-19
Authors:
Shahra Razavi
Christina Behrendt
Mira Bierbaum
Ian Orton
Lou Tessier
Issue:
Volume 73 (2020), Issue 3 (Special issue)
The COVID-19 pandemic has exposed the vulnerability of those who are inadequately covered by social protection in more and less developed countries alike, and has exacerbated the fragility of a social contract that was already under strain in many countries. A weak social contract in the context of an exceptional crisis poses a very real risk to social cohesion. Nevertheless, many States have reasserted themselves as the guarantor of rights by protecting public health and incomes. By sustaining these measures, economic recovery will be supported which will help minimize risks that may weaken social cohesion. However, this is a fast-moving, inherently unstable and protracted crisis. Social protection stands at a critical juncture. Decisive policy action will be required to strengthen social protection systems, including floors, as one of the cornerstones of a reinvigorated social contract.